The SP Willamette Valley Branch

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M

Marlin39

Well-Known Member
I tore the old layout apart, saved the benchwork frame and back drop, then attached 1/4" cork on top of 1/4" plywood.

Track is on order.

This is going to be built for prototype operation. I was stuck in a rut and couldn't get my ideas on paper to where I was happy with the results. I consulted with Lance Mindheim and give him credit for the track plan.

It's Summer so I will be outside more than inside, but will post as I progress.
 

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AemJaY1 said:
where is summer right now? o_O
we should have spring (Switzerland) but i cant see a spring here :D
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If you are ever looking for track plan ideas, I would suggest looking at small towns in rural areas in the early 1960's, or earlier, depending on your era. (I am talking American)

I selected a couple local spots that had rail activity (most of the track has been ripped out by now) and copied their design. I find them very operational. They also provide prototypical industries and depots.

USGS topographical maps are free online and available in a range of years. They cover the entire country. Google "USGS historical topographic maps". Their website is self explanatory.
 
Ok, I finally had some time to start something. It's been a rough couple of months with $8k worth of vet bills, my own little health scare, and working the vegetable plot.

I want to build the structures before securing the track.

I was real lucky a few months ago to buy a bunch of DPM stuff at a great price. Trainz.com had discounted what I needed 50%. Pure timing.😁 I began the fruit/veg packing plant with the pile of plastic. I really had to red neck engineer this thing together. Scratch building/kit bashing was more difficult than I had anticipated. I will get around to the roof, details, final weathering when I have some more time.

The operation of the plant
Fruit and vegetables are trucked in from the fields to the back side receiving dock. Canning material, packaging, etc is delivered by boxcar to door #1 (right) and finished product will be shipped by boxcar from door #2 (left).

The second track is for moving cars at the plant.

The third track is for delivering tank cars with different viscosities of fructose and corn syrup. There will be storage tanks at that track. Pipes run underground to the plant.

The fourth track will be for sorting the cars being delivered to all the industries on the branch.
 

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When I lived in Oregon, I modeled the SP&S. I bought several books on the SP&S and I bought an 0-6-0 for around 1K...that was for display only (I'm a klutz and I didn't want anything happening to it), so I mostly ran Atlas RS-3's. Before we moved to Oregon, we lived in SoCal and took the Coast Starlight up to Portland and as we were looking at the trip iteneray, we saw the Willamette River, and we thought it was pronounced Will-a-Met; but the conductor came over the PA and said "We are now approaching the Willamette, Damnit; and that was when we knew how to pronounce the name of the river...BTW in lived in Tujunga in SoCal...a lot of people mess that name up pretty badly also
 


I picked up an out of production Willilams Bros Oil Storage Tank kit to kit bash into the cannery's corn syrup/fructose storage facility. 3 tanks looked too big, so I just used 2 and then modified everything else. I had enough stuff to scratch build the pump house. Piping runs underground into the cannery. I still have to finish up piping, details, and weathering, but I did a lot in one day.🥱
 

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Marlin39 said:
Ok, I finally had some time to start something. It's been a rough couple of months with $8k worth of vet bills, my own little health scare, and working the vegetable plot.

I want to build the structures before securing the track.

I was real lucky a few months ago to buy a bunch of DPM stuff at a great price. Trainz.com had discounted what I needed 50%. Pure timing.😁 I began the fruit/veg packing plant with the pile of plastic. I really had to red neck engineer this thing together. Scratch building/kit bashing was more difficult than I had anticipated. I will get around to the roof, details, final weathering when I have some more time.

The operation of the plant
Fruit and vegetables are trucked in from the fields to the back side receiving dock. Canning material, packaging, etc is delivered by boxcar to door #1 (right) and finished product will be shipped by boxcar from door #2 (left).

The second track is for moving cars at the plant.

The third track is for delivering tank cars with different viscosities of fructose and corn syrup. There will be storage tanks at that track. Pipes run underground to the plant.

The fourth track will be for sorting the cars being delivered to all the industries on the branch.
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You’ll get some great operations from this plant for sure!
 
Finally got the track painted and down. I had to modify the original plan a little. I forgot how much space a #6 switch takes up.I just need to do a little touch up paint on the rail joiners.

There are NO electrical issues. I ran 2 short wheel base engines (Rapido 44 tonner and an Atlas HH600) with zero issues. No dead frogs.🥳🥳🥳

I have the majority of the structures done, but for 2. It's slowly taking shape, but it's going to be a while due to nursing our dog.

Our Great Pyrenees had just finished recovering from orthopedic surgery, for a detached ACL and meniscus. The surgeon said it was highly likely she would damage the other leg also.😩 Well, she did. We take her in to have the right ACL and patella fixed this time. Another $7k😩 I'm finding out what a luxury item big dogs are.💰💰💰💰
 

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Marlin39 said:
Finally got the track painted and down. I had to modify the original plan a little. I forgot how much space a #6 switch takes up.I just need to do a little touch up paint on the rail joiners.

There are NO electrical issues. I ran 2 short wheel base engines (Rapido 44 tonner and an Atlas HH600) with zero issues. No dead frogs.🥳🥳🥳

I have the majority of the structures done, but for 2. It's slowly taking shape, but it's going to be a while due to nursing our dog.

Our Great Pyrenees had just finished recovering from orthopedic surgery, for a detached ACL and meniscus. The surgeon said it was highly likely she would damage the other leg also.😩 Well, she did. We take her in to have the right ACL and patella fixed this time. Another $7k😩 I'm finding out what a luxury item big dogs are.💰💰💰💰
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Layout is looking great!
 


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